This juried art show, sponsored by the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Saturday, July 31 from 9-4 on the boardwalk.

If you are looking for a place to cool off this summer, of course there are the beautiful beaches in our area.  But if you would like to bring your children to someplace different you should check out the various water parks and “spraygrounds” that Monmouth County has to offer.

Dorbrook Park (209 Route 537, Colts Neck) has a water playground that squirts chlorinated, re-circulated water.  Although it is designed for babies, toddlers and younger children, don’t be surprised to find tweens having a blast too.   Free admission   http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=2503

Runaway Rapids Waterpark (Keansburg Beach)  Bring your sunscreen and bathing suits for a day of water slides (over 18 different slides),  a lazy river, two spa pools, kiddie lagoon area and a separate toddler play area.  Click link for coupons http://www.keansburgamusementpark.com/CouponsOnLinePrint.asp

Asbury Splash Park (Asbury Park Boardwalk).  The new waterpark on the boardwalk is officially open! Hours are 10am – 6pm. The all day price is $9 for children and $5 for adults. The price for after 4pm is $6 for children and $3 for adults. 

Turkey Swamp Park  (Georgia Road and Namoco Rd, Freehold)  

If you don’t feel like getting wet, you can spend the day at Turkey Swamp Park.  Here you can fish for bass, catfish, and bluegills either from the shore or from kayaks, rowboats, canoes and paddleboats available for rental in summer. Boat rentals are available weekends only from May 1 through June 19 and then daily until Labor Day and weekends only again from Labor Day through Columbus Day. Boat rental hours are 10am-4:30pm.  The cost of boat rental is as follows:   

• 1 hour – $11.50
• each additional 15 minutes - $3
  A refundable deposit of $10 is required for individual rental. Group rentals are available; deposit of $50 is required. 

  http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2540

This Sunday, May 23 will be the  “Kick off” celebration of new shops and restaurants that were recently opened on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.  Many of the new eateries will be offering samples to visitors and some of the shops will be conducting demonstrations or offering promotions.

There are also activities and entertainment planned for children.  Come out and spend the day visiting some of the 35 shops along the famous boardwalk.

For a listing of the new merchants, follow the link below.

http://apboardwalk.com/news/126/

Photo by David C. Sommer

 

TASTE OF OCEAN GROVE

FRIDAY,  APRIL 23,  2010 

5:00-8:00  PM

SAMPLE TASTINGS FROM OUR RESTAURANTS,
COFFEE SHOPS, CHEESE SHOP AND BAKERY

AN ADDED BONUS – ENJOY THE MUSIC
 as “Turner’s Piano Restorations”
cranks up their wonderful player piano!

TICKETS–$20
Will be available after April 1st at the
Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Office
45 Pilgrim Pathway
732-774-1391

Note:  Tickets will be limited to 200
(Must be purchased by April 20th)

ENJOY AN EVENING OF TASTINGS AND SHOPPING IN THIS LOVELY VICTORIAN TOWN!

Mark Your Calendars… The 25th Annual Beach Sweep On April 24, the nonprofit Clean Ocean Action marks a quarter century of keeping our beaches, rivers, lakes and streams clean and free of debris–with a big springtime event that takes place at over 60 locations statewide, including the Asbury Park  and Point Pleasant boardwalks.

The goal of the Beach Sweeps is to reduce and eliminate sources of litter.  The Beach Sweeps events are more than people picking up trash from beaches.  This program builds community support for solutions, as well as raises awareness about the negative impacts of litter on wildlife and the ocean. 

Volunteers are needed all over; go to www.cleanoceanaction.org to register and find out more about this project.

Of course, we are partial to the Monmouth County beaches, but to be fair….  there are 48 wonderful shore communities represented, from Sandy Hook to Cape May……. let’s get the vote out now    http://www.njtoptenbeaches.org/

Nowadays, Sandy Hook offers both ocean beaches with concession stands and changing facilities.  ())Clothing is optional at secluded Gunnison Beach).  There is a visitor center and trails for walking and biking.  the bayside is perfect for wind surfing, kayaks, parasailing boating, jet skis and body surfing.

Take a leisurely (or invigorating) bike ride along to the trails  or hop on one of their trolley buses after a day at the beach and head out to Fort Hancock on the Northern tip of Sandy Hook.  Fort Hancock is home to the nation’s oldest continually operating lighthouse as well as  buildings  including historic gun batteries, a renovated chapel, homes for the enlisted men and officers, a YMCA building, and the former post movie house which is now used for music and live theater. These historic structures, while not open to the public, offer a dramatic foil to the beaches and surf available at Sandy Hook.

At the end of the day stop at the Sea Gull’s Nest for a bite to eat or enjoy a cocktail while watching the sun set over the bay.    http://www.seagullsnest.info/

This is a great opportunity to rent a beautiful Jersey Shore beach house.  This home is located approximately 200 ft from the Beach in the Borough of  Beach Haven on Long Beach Island.  Very well kept and and conveniently located to shops, restaurants and other attractions Beach Haven has to offer.  There are only a few weeks left….  for more information check out the website.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p126145